Scotland’s space sector follow-up: launch

Scottish Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 21 Jan 2025 Closed: 1 Dec 2025 Parliament page
In June 2023, the previous Scottish Affairs Committee began an inquiry into Scotland’s space sector. That broad inquiry examined the space sector’s contribution to Scotland’s economy, and how the UK Government could support the industry to become a world leader. You can read the call for evidence for that inquiry … Read more
20 Recommendations
4 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
2 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
1 Dec
2025
Report published
10 Sep
2025
Report published
3 Sep
2025
Correspondence
23 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
23 Apr
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
2 Apr
2025
Correspondence
5 Feb
2025
Oral evidence
5 Feb
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
23 Apr 2025
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Scotland’s space sector follow-up: launch - Session 2
Chris White-Horne · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Colin Macleod · Civil Aviation Authority Dr Christie Maddock · University of Strathclyde Dr Pamela Smith · AAC Clyde Space Matthew Archer · UK Space Agency Professor Malcolm Macdonald · University of Strathclyde Professor Patrick Harkness · University of Glasgow Rosie Whitbread · UK Civil Aviation Authority Sir Chris Bryant MP · Department for Culture, Media and Sport
5 Feb 2025
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Scottish Affairs Committee - Public Meeting
Alan Thompson · Skyrora Limited Jörn Spurmann · Rocket Factory Augsburg Nik Smith · UKspace Phil Chambers · Orbex Ruari Brooker · HyImpulse Scott Hammond · SaxaVord Spaceport
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report - Scotland’s space sector follow-up: launch HC 671 10 Sep 2025 24 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
Clear
5 Recommendation Rejected
2nd Report - Scotland’s space sect…
Examine the case for designating all UK spaceports as freeports to spur sector growth.
The UK Government should examine the case for designating all spaceports as freeports, to spur further growth of the sector and provide a greater opportunity to attract investment, talent and international partnerships. (Recommendation, Paragraph 40)
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, stating it does not currently intend to expand the Freeport Programme to cover any new sites.
Scotland Office
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12 Recommendation Rejected
2nd Report - Scotland’s space sect…
Prioritise procurement of homegrown responsive launch services from domestic UK providers for defence.
The Ministry of Defence should prioritise the procurement of homegrown responsive launch services from domestic UK providers that can deploy satellites within days or weeks in response to emerging threats. (Recommendation, Paragraph 62)
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that the Ministry of Defence is not currently in a position to implement responsive launch services, as Space Command is focused on initial capabilities and currently has no requirement for independent launch systems.
Scotland Office
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19 Recommendation Rejected
2nd Report - Scotland’s space sect…
UK Government becoming anchor customer is vital for Scotland's launch sector viability
The UK Government must realise the value of becoming a long-term, sustainable customer of ‘home grown’ space capabilities. Once Scotland has a proven sovereign launch capability, the provision of Government support as an ‘anchor customer’ of domestic services, rather than … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is supporting a commercial approach to launch, is highly unlikely to provide sufficient demand to sustain the sector itself, and does not commit to becoming an anchor customer.
Scotland Office
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20 Recommendation Rejected
2nd Report - Scotland’s space sect…
Commit to identifying early public sector customers for Scotland's launch and spaceport sector
The UK Space Agency should therefore commit to working with both the UK and Scottish Governments to identify early public sector customers for Scotland’s launch and spaceport sector. Government becoming a customer of the Scottish launch sector would send a … Read more
Government Response
The government states it supports a commercial approach to launch, is highly unlikely to provide sufficient demand to sustain the sector, and will set out its space exports strategy in a 2026 publication.
Scotland Office
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21 Recommendation Rejected
2nd Report - Scotland’s space sect…
Unclear roles and fragmented responsibility for space policy hinder sector growth
Responsibility for space policy and regulation is currently spread across multiple government departments, which leads to unclear roles. Companies within the sector are having to coordinate with multiple government 42 departments, often with limited communication or coordination between them. This … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is committed to coordinated space activity through existing multi-departmental governance and ministerial forums, but rejects establishing a new specific Cabinet committee for space or publishing forum meeting details.
Scotland Office
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23 Recommendation Rejected
2nd Report - Scotland’s space sect…
Set out structure, publish minutes, and regularly update Parliament on the Cabinet sub-committee for space.
Nonetheless, enhanced cross-departmental collaboration will still be needed to ensure the UK’s space sector operates under a coherent and unified direction. In its response to this report, the UK Government should set out the structure, membership, and remit of the … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to establish a new Cabinet sub-committee for space, stating that ministers already meet regularly through a Space Ministerial Forum. It also declines to publish meeting schedules, attendance, or minutes for any such forum or committee, citing long-established precedent.
Scotland Office
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24 Recommendation Rejected
2nd Report - Scotland’s space sect…
Ensure the Cabinet sub-committee for space delivers meaningful coordination improvements and engagement.
While we are sympathetic to the sector’s calls for a dedicated ‘Minister for Space’, we do not believe such a role is necessary at this time. Fundamentally, the sector’s calls reflect a desire for improved engagement with the sector, and … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to focus on the Cabinet sub-committee for space, stating they have not committed to establishing such a committee. They also confirm that details and minutes of any ministerial forums will not be made public, citing long-established precedent.
Scotland Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 24 of 20 classified
Accepted 6
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 6
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 7
Total 20 recs + 4 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
3 Sep 2025 To committee Letter from Minister of State, Sir Chris Bryant, regarding UKSA and DSIT, dated 01 September 2025
Parliament page
2 Apr 2025 To committee Letter from Scottish Government regarding Scotland’s space sector follow up: launch, dated 27 March 202
Parliament page